Winnebacher Weißkogel (3182 m) from Lüsens

Technical difficulty: 7/10
Fitness: 8/10
Objective danger: 6/10
Landscape: 9/10
Busy: 4/10

A great spring summit in Sellrain with long valleys and steep final face. Winnerbacher Weißkogel is also sometimes possible in early winter in good avalanche conditions.

Starting point: Lüsens
Ending point: Lüsens
Ascend: 1600vm / 5h
Exposition: North East/ East for the crux parts, a bit south in the middle

The Winnebacher Weißkogel is located in the Stubai Alps close to the Westfalenhaus. The ascent to the Winnebachjoch is through a long valley without any major difficulties, except for a short bit just before reaching the pass. Wide slopes left after the old glacier lead through a large bowl to the summit face. The final section goes through a short steep couloir to the summit. It can be challenging and can require crampons and ice axe to get through.

Route:
From Lüsens heading south, with the Lüsenser Fernerkogel always in sight, proceed until just before the end of the valley to the supply cable car. Here, turn right and to the left of the gorge carved by the Fernaubach, ascend steeply to the Längentaleralm (1988 m). Continue in the valley floor with minimal elevation gain until just below the hut, then turn sharply right and diagonally north up to the Westfalenhaus.

From the hut, ascend to the left over a slope step into a flat basin, the Ochsenkar. Continue west through this basin, gradually increasing in steepness to the Winnebachjoch (2788 m). From the pass, head north quite steeply to the visually crevasse-free Weißkogelferner glacier. Across this glacier heading west, then keeping to the left over a short steep slope to the north ridge. Leave your skis at the ski depot, and from there, climb through a short steep couloir onto the spacious summit plateau.

Descend:

Same as ascend.

Photos by @the.running.nomad